Rebellin faces damage payment to CONI, wants to return

CONI wants a damage payment from Davide Rebellin, after the latter was caught for doping with EPO. Rebellin tested positive after the Olympic Games, where he won the silver medal.

The medal has to be returned, the results are rewritten and, adding insult to injury, the Italian faces financial payments. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, a lawyer is already preparing the case for CONI. In addition to the damage payment, CONI wants Rebellin to pay back the 75,000 reward for the medal.

Rebellin maintains that he is innocent and is headed to the Sports Court of Arbitration (CAS) in Lausanne. "We are surprised by the decision from the IOC [International Olympic Committee -ed.]," Rebellin's lawyer said, according to Sporza. "This shows that the IOC has no respect for Davide."

Rebellin himself was clear about his intentions. "Even if nobody believes that I am innocent, I will comeback to thew peloton," the 38-year-old said. "I want to show who the real Rebellin is."

Rebellin had a strong season 2009, winning two stages at the Ruta del Sol and then the Flèche Wallonne. Four days later he was again on the podium, taking third in Liège - Bastogne - Liège. In 2004, Rebellin won the Amstel Gold, Flèche Wallonne and Liège - Bastogne - Liège within one week.

This year wasn't so great. Four days after his third place to Andy Schleck in Ans, it was announced that he tested positive during the Olympics.